None of these items should be part of your diet on a regular basis, but as the occasional treat or breakfast on-the-run, you can make them fit into an otherwise balanced and healthy diet. For more healthy and quick breakfast ideas that you can grab from your own kitchen, check out these speedy morning meal ideas. And remember that with a little planning, breakfast can be quick, easy, and healthy.

This article has been reviewed and approved by Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietitian.

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Sarah Haan
Sarah is a registered dietitian with a bachelor's degree in dietetics. She helps individuals adopt healthy lifestyles and manage their weight. An avid exerciser and cook, Sarah likes to run, lift weights and eat good food. See all of Sarah's articles.

These foods are absurdly high in sodium.... there is no way that someone who is trying to watch their sodium would be able to eat a breakfast sandwich and still be good for the rest of the day with a 1500mg max.
- 7/10/2013 6:51:01 PM

Thank you for this article. I was runnin g late a few weeks ago and stopped and got an egg muffin from md. Whe I got home I looked it up and almost died! Now after reading this article I realize I should have left off the cheese. duh

I have spent less than 5 minutes in the McDonald's line to get a breakfast sandwich to save myself from being late to work. In a pinch, it is on my way, but I do it usually less than once a month. It is a great article to give us choices if we need them, but this article totally needs an update!
- 7/10/2013 10:54:14 AM

If you consider the time you spend on line waiting to order, then waiting for the food, you could easily make - and eat - breakfast at home. You waste even more time if you have to drive out of your way, or walk out of your way to get to the fast food restaurant. You could easily waste 15-20 minutes or more.

Oatmeal takes less than 5 minutes to cook in the microwave.

You can boil eggs and keep them in the fridge for the week.

You can cook eggs in a mug in the microwave in less than 2 minutes, toast your English muffin in that time, and eat it in the time you'd wait for a fast food breakfast.

All you need is a little planning and organization.
- 6/21/2013 12:13:21 PM

I HATE fast food breakfasts, or even trying to get a decent breakfast at a hotel or restaurant. All of the "healthy" options are super bready and never filling. The only filling options use up a lot of your fat for the day that I would much rather use to have a nice cut of meat with dinner or something..
- 6/21/2013 9:28:54 AM

This is a great list but it needs to be updated! McDonalds has the Egg White Delight now which is delicious and much lower that the Egg McMuffin and Subway also has many choices under 200 calories. Please update!
- 6/21/2013 8:42:55 AM

McDonald's also now offers an egg white delight which is only 240 calories.. and I'm SHOCKED that this list didn't include Subway's breakfast muffin melts (which with egg white and veggies can run as low as 160 calories!).
- 4/24/2013 8:49:13 PM

McDonalds sells a side of scrambled eggs (not on menu) if you are looking for protein without the fake "cheese" and the muffin in the Egg McMuffin. Their scrambled eggs have little salt, they include a packet in the bag in case you want to add some.
- 4/24/2013 4:54:24 PM

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